17 January 2025

Mastering Your Study Schedule as a Law Student

Author: Geena Levine

Law school comes with a demanding reading load, frequent class participation, and the pressure of upcoming exams, making it crucial to have a well-organized study schedule. Here’s how you can stay on top of your workload and make the most of your time.

Prioritize Effectively

Not all tasks carry the same weight. Start each week by listing your assignments, readings, and responsibilities, then categorize them.

Consider grouping them into categories like these:

Urgent and Important: Address these right away.
Important but Not Urgent: Plan and schedule these tasks.
Neither Urgent nor Important: Reduce or eliminate these from your list.

In law school, your success hinges on prioritizing what truly matters—grasping legal principles, preparing for class discussions, and excelling in exams.

Plan Your Week Strategically

Treat your study schedule like a courtroom schedule—strict and non-negotiable.

Block out specific times for:

Reading: Allocate ample time for case briefs and class preparation.
Reviewing notes: Regularly revisit class notes to reinforce your understanding.
Practice questions: Build exam readiness by practicing essays and multiple-choice questions.
Self-care: Don’t overlook meals, exercise, and downtime.

Embrace Technology Wisely

Combine listening with reading to enhance comprehension and retention. Pairing audio content such as Aspen Aloud, or video content on PracticePerfect with eBooks on Casebook Connect creates a multi-modal learning experience, solidifying your understanding through both auditory and visual channels.

Master the Art of Saying No

You’ll encounter numerous opportunities to join clubs, attend events, or take on part-time work during law school. While these activities can be valuable, overcommitting can lead to burnout. Assess each opportunity based on your goals and available time and remember that your study schedule should be your top priority. It’s okay to turn things down.

Leverage Down Time

Make use of downtime by turning it into productive study time. LEAF from Aspen’s audiobook feature is perfect for learning on the go. Whether commuting, exercising, or taking a break, audiobooks allow you to maximize productivity and make studying seamless.

Break Down Large Tasks

The legal profession values attention to detail, and so should your study schedule. Instead of tackling a broad task like "prepare for contracts class".

Break it into smaller, actionable steps:

Read pages 100-150.
Brief three key cases. (learn more on case briefing here)
Draft discussion questions.

Smaller tasks feel more manageable and help you make steady progress.

Review and Reflect

Set aside time weekly to evaluate your progress.

Ask yourself:

Did I meet my goals?
What worked well?
What needs adjustment?

Constantly refining your approach will make you more efficient and effective.

Mastering your study schedule in law school isn’t about working harder; it’s about working smarter. By prioritizing tasks, planning effectively, and ensuring balance, you’ll be able to handle the demands of law school with confidence and clarity. Remember, every lawyer started as a law student—navigating this journey successfully now will set the stage for future accomplishments.